Devastation has swept across the gulf as 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi are left without power from Hurricane Ida. Recorded as one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States, many are left to pick up the pieces of their city, just as they did 16 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit. We've rounded up some charities and ways to help Dallas can help our southern neighbors recover from this disaster.
Our team has dear friends in New Orleans so this is particularly near and dear to our hearts. Please help any of the below ways you can.
RED CROSS
With thousands in need of shelter after the storm, Red Cross already has over 2,500 people across their 60 Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas shelters. They expect the number of those needing shelter to rise as power is still out and many homes are not livable. You can donate online through their website.
MUTUAL AID DISASTER RELIEF
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief is a grassroots network, focusing their efforts on the survivors of these natural disasters. "The principle of 'solidarity, not charity' means that actions are based on the stated needs of the people themselves, working cooperatively rather than administering from above." You can make a monetary donation to their Hurricane Ida relief efforts or continue to help them grow their needed supplies to get into areas that may be unsafe and / or without power (supplies like vehicles, solar trailers, vehicles). They also have an Amazon wishlist for items needed by both the survivors and the volunteers.
DONATION DETAILS:
VENMO: @MutualAidDisasterRelief)
LOUISIANA WISH LIST: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2OEJ6RA7JWNXC/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children works in hard to reach areas to reduce the impact of natural disasters on children. A $50 donation can help provide diapers and wipes so families can continue to care for their young children and $100 can help supply 20 hygiene kits so children in crisis can stay clean and safe.
IMAGINE WATER WORKS
Imagine Water Works is a small group of women and non-binary people who are BIPOC and trans-led. Half are multi-generational New Orleanians, and half are from immigrant families and have found their home there. Being Native, Creole, queer, and trans, the team feels deeply connected to their community and strive to be transparent in every way they give back. You can check their website for updates from the team on the ground. The latest updates said they were able to relaunch their Community Power Map so that folks across New Orleans can get access to power (bit.ly/powermapnola). They also have provided their community with a guide for staying safe through COVID + hurricane prep, and special considerations for LGBTQ individuals- all created by native New Orleanians and disaster prep professionals.
TRI-CITY ANIMAL SHELTER & ADOPTION CENTER
Shelters are overflowing with pets rescued from Hurricane Ida. They are in desperate need of volunteers to help clean and care for these pets. They encourage those looking to adopt or foster to help give these dogs and puppies a new home! Monetary donations will go towards the veterinary bills and needs of those rescued.
OPERATION KINDNESS
Looking to adopt a furry friend into the fam? Operation kindness has rescued over 50 animals from Hurricane Ida that are now in North Texas waiting to be adopted by their purrrr-fect fam! You can also volunteer or donate items in person or through their Amazon/Chewy wishlists.
CAJUN NAVY RELIEF
This citizen-led nonprofit's mission is to save lives of those affected by natural disasters. These volunteers use their own boats to help rescue those stranded due to flooding. They have already deployed search and rescue missions across the state. Even once flood waters go down, the Cajun Navy is there to supply donations for those who have lost everything. You can sign up to volunteer, donate supplies online or send monetary donations through the Paypal link below.
ANOTHER GULF IS POSSIBLE
This women-of-color led, grassroots collaborative has ten members and are working to distribute goods and donations directly to "indigenous, black, and brown frontline folks impacted by Hurricane Ida and groups who currently don't have online donations capacity, as well as directly to individual families impacted by the storm". You can make monetary donations online and also view a list of items still needed for relief efforts.
PROJECT HOPE
Not only has hurricane Ida made landfall but also during the Delta surge of the pandemic. With shelters filling up and Covid spreading through Louisiana, Project Hope is "responding, providing medical personnel and hygiene supplies for families who are being moved to shelters." They are continuing to work with local partners to identify urgent health needs while also providing PPE and N95 masks.You can make a monetary donation to purchase more needed medical supplies for those affected by Hurricane Ida.
